Cycle fundraiser raises over £2,000 for Ysbyty Gwynedd

A group of cyclists from Anglesey have raised over £2,000 Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit by cycling 70 miles, to thank the staff for the life saving treatment they provided for their loved ones.

Ricky Jones, 27, was left in a critical condition after a car crash near Bryngwran in 2015 and was rushed into Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Emergency Department before being transferred by ambulance to Stoke Hospital.

His father, Mike Jones, described how he thought he would lose his son during those harrowing moments when he reached the Emergency Department.

He said: “It was a terrifying moment when Ricky was brought into Ysbyty Gwynedd as we thought we’d lost him.

“We were told it was touch and go but the staff were able to stabilise him and he was then transferred to Stoke Hospital where he spent four months in a coma.

“If it wasn’t for the paramedic and the team at Ysbyty Gwynedd that day I think we could have lost him. Our family are extremely grateful to them.”

Kirsty Owen, also 27-years-old, was hit by a train after she’d gone on to the track to get her bag at Llanfairpwll Station on Anglesey in 2013.

She suffered serious back injuries and has since undergone 13 operations with further surgery planned for the future.

Her father, Paul Owen, said he wished to thank the Emergency Department for the care provided in those vital moments his daughter arrived in the hospital.

He said: “At the time when she arrived in the Emergency Department we thought her injuries were too severe and she wouldn’t survive – it really was a terrifying and extremely upsetting time for the family.

“She was flown to Stoke Hospital as her injuries were very serious but during her time at Ysbyty Gwynedd she received first class care from the staff there.

“Not only did they make sure they stabilised her before she went into the helicopter but they also offered us support at the same time. They truly are a fantastic team there and we can’t thank them enough, we are very lucky to have them.

“The team who took part in the cycle ride all have a connection to Ysbyty Gwynedd which is why we wanted to raise some funds for the Intensive Care Unit as well as the staff there also provided outstanding care for their loved ones.”

Kirsty, who has a two-year-old son, recently visited the Emergency Department with Ricky to present the cheque of £2656.33 to the staff.

She said: “What happened has completely changed my life and I still need more operations to my back to correct my spine and my hips.

“However, I have beaten most of the odds that were against me and have got a lot better over the last few years. I have even had my little boy which is something I thought I’d never be able to do.

“I’ve been very lucky and I am truly grateful to the staff at the Emergency Department for doing all they could for me when I arrived there.”

The donation, given to the North Wales NHS charity, Awyr Las, will support items needed for the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit.

Pete Williams, Consultant in Emergency & Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Ysbyty Gwynedd, said: “We at the Emergency Department would like to express our sincere thanks to the team of cyclists who have provided us with this kind donation.

“This donation will help us to purchase new items for our Emergency Department which is currently undergoing major improvement work.

“We don’t always get to find out what happens to those who come into our Emergency Department so it was wonderful to see Kirsty and Ricky and we’re glad they are both doing so well.”